Easton Will Pay $1 Million For Weller Center

The city of Easton will give the Greater Easton Development Partnership a $1 million grant to turn the Weller Center into a permanent indoor food market.

The grant, approved Wednesday by City Council, will allow the GEDP to acquire the property at 325 Northampton St. and pay for some construction.

City officials announced in July plans to turn the space into a permanent market—it will house the indoor version of the Easton Farmers' Market this winter—that provides residents with fresh, locally produced food.

The GEDP will use part of the building for its offices—as well as those of the Easton Main Street Initiative and Easton Amabassadors

According to the Morning Call, the vote was 5-2, with Councilman Roger Ruggles and Councilwoman Elinor Warner objecting due to concerns that the city wouldn't get its money back.

The Weller Center opened in 1982 as a place for health education, and spent the next 26 years operating a facility for visitors. In 2008, the center stopped offering programs for visitors, and switched to running in-school programs.

In 2009, the Victory Brewing Co. announced plans to move into the building and open a brew pub/restaurant, but those plans fell through the following year.